Editor’s Corner: Sentence Fragment Quiz

Quiz: Sentence Fragments

Last week, Donna provided some lessons on sentence fragments and run-on sentences. Today, I have a little quiz for you. Read the following sentences. Mark a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the sentences in the group is a fragment. Scroll down toward the bottom of the email for answers.

These questions and answers are based on a lesson from the Purdue OWL.

____ 1. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays to the earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow, and brown moving slowly in the wind.

____ 2. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other teachers in that department, he did not encourage students’ questions.

____ 3. The magazine has a reputation for a sophomoric, insignificant, and semi-literate group of readers. Although that is a value judgment and in circumstances not a true premise.

____ 4. She opened the doggie door and let us crawl into her home. Not realizing at the time that we would never use the doggie door again.

____5. As Easter grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood days at fun-filled times of hard-boiled egg and chocolate bunny fights. To think about this makes me happy.

Answers: Sentence Fragments

Incorrect parts are in italics with justifications in bold.

F 1. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays to the earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow, and brown moving slowly in the wind.(dependent clause)

C 2. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other teachers in that department, he did not encourage students’ questions.

F 3. The magazine has a reputation for a sophomoric, insignificant, and semi-literate group of readers. Although that is a value judgment and in circumstances not a true premise.(dependent clause)

F 4. She opened the doggie door and let us crawl into her home. Not realizing at the time that we would never use the doggie door again. (dependent clause)

C 5. As Easter grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood days at fun-filled times of hard-boiled egg and chocolate bunny fights. To think about this makes me happy.

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